Inter-Office Basketball League Nearing Finals
Welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The Inter-Office Basketball League is down to its final matches. On Friday night, basketball fans made their way over to the Belize City Civic Center for two action-packed games. Tuff eNuff took on Belize Water Services in game two of their best-of-three series. Well folks, if you were there, you know how that one played out. And, if you were not, you certainly missed out. Things quickly went down the drain for B.W.S., as Tuff eNuff handed them a seventy-six to sixty point series closer. Strong finish there for number four from BWS’ Luis Barcelona. Tuff eNuff captain number ninety, Francis Arana, with the hustle to force a jump ball. At the end of the first quarter, Tuff eNuff was only leading by one. The rebound by number fourteen, Orlando Ferguson, and the tip to number two Kevin Hamilton for the two point conversion. That play followed a steal by Captain Francis Arana.A massive block by Louis Pitterson led to a turnover and the assist to Eyan Rene who made an easy finish of the error. Arana with the strong drive to the basket, draws the foul and sinks the basket, And 1!We spoke with Arana after the game about the win, as his team heads to final.
Francis Arana
Francis Arana, Tuff eNuff
“It means a lot because all season we worked hard to reach here. We were undefeated. We don’t want to give up so easy. We were pushing for these finals and we made it. Now it’s to continue and win the finals.”
In game two, Central Health Region fought hard and lives to see another day. They were down one in their best-of-three series against the Belize Coast Guard. Fortunately for them, they were able to lead in all four quarters, in a much better performance than what we saw last Friday. That game finished at seventy- four to sixty points. The final match in that series is scheduled to take place on Friday night inside the Mexico Center. The winner will take on Tuff eNuff in the finals.
And, from basketball we move into some cycling action. Several Belizean cyclists participated in the sixth-annual Sedasi Cycling Classic in Merida, Mexico. Cycling fans were able to follow the one hundred kilometer event courtesy of Gonz Cycling Club’s live broadcast.
Byron Pope, Cyclist
“This dah the sixth running of the Sedasi Classic. This is my fourth time and it’s an exciting race because a lot of guys are here.”
As you saw there folks, Byron Pope secured fourth place in the Elite Category. Fitzgerald Palas Joseph came in first for the Masters B category. Congratulations to all our Belizean riders who completed the grueling ride.
In Volleyball, the ATLIB Volleyball Championship games were held over the weekend in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Energies were high going into the games, as the top tertiary level volleyball teams faced off in both the male and female categories. And in the end, the S.J.C.J.C. male and female teams took home the first prize trophies. They were crowned the ATLIB Volleyball Champions for 2022. Congratulations to the U.B. male team for finishing in second place and Muffles College’s male team for winning third place. Second place in the female category went to Galen University and third place to Ecumenical College.
I would also like to give special mention to Belize’s under-twenty-one Men’s Volleyball team for their hard work in the Under-Twenty-One Central American Men’s Volleyball Championship. Belizean Hakan Godoy received an award for First Best Blocker.
And, that’s all we have for you in sports, until next time. Thanks for joining us.
